Ok, this is my 3rd year dealing with the addiction that is Fantasy Football. I'm going to be posting 5 Studs and 5 Duds every week. I don't claim to be an expert but I've been burned enough times to know a thing or two about planning out a starting roster so without anymore dialog, here are my 5 Studs and Duds for week 2... (All predictions are for ESPN standard league scoring)
STUDS:
1. Matthew Stafford: This guy put up solid week one numbers against a not-that-bad Tampa Bay D. While I'm not going to give him every week starter status quite yet, he is a solid start this week against a Chiefs D that got burned by the Bills (yes... the Bills) worse than the Scare Crow in Oz. I'm predicting Stafford puts up similar if not better numbers this week and could be a goldmine for spot starts and buy-week bailouts this season.
PREDICTION: 25 points
2. Rashard Mendenhall: After a forgettable week one against my Ravens, look for the Steelers to bounce back BIG against the lowly Seahawks. The Steelers never got the ball moving on the ground and you can bet that practice this week has been centered around the ground game. Mendenhall only carried 12 times last week but that was mostly due to 7 Steeler turnovers. He's going to carry early and often and when the Steelers get a big lead (and they will) they will look to Mendenhall to close the door.
PREDICTION: 19 points
3. Lee Evens: After sitting out week one and getting a good look at how potent the Baltimore offense can be, I expect Evens to be as hungry as ever to hit the field and make a big play. The Titans secondary is full of holes (don't be fooled by the fact they gave up only 16 point week 1... they were facing a backup QB) and Flacco's goal will be to make those holes bigger. Look for Flacco to target Evens for a big play early in the game to welcome his newest weapon to the team.
PREDICTION: 16 points
4. Miles Austin: I can sum this up with two words... Dez Bryant. It doesn't look like he will play and so you can bet that Austin's targets are going to go up, waaaay up. The 49ers provide an interesting match up in the secondary and that could mean Austin will get more double teams but I'm betting the increased targets out weigh the increased coverage.
PREDICTION: 17 points
5. Steelers Defense: I'm going set my extreme hatred for the Steelers aside here and tell it like it is. They are NOT THAT BAD... After a complete mess of a game against my Ravens, look for the Steelers D to be charged and ready to manhandle the over matched Seahawks this week. No way a squad with as much talent as the Steel Boys come out flat again (or Mike Tomlin might lose his mind). If you drafted them and were turned off by last week, fear not... A bounce back (forcing at least 2 turnovers) is in their future.
PREDICTION: 12 points
DUDS:
Cam Newton/Steve Smith: I know both of these guys had monster week 1's... Don't buy in just yet ladies and gentlemen. With the Packers coming to town, look for the numbers to be cut in half, at least. Cam doesn't have the experience to put up numbers against a defense with this much skill and, as Cam goes, so goes Steve. While I like the possibility of this combo coming into their own as the season progresses (and in spot match ups along the way) sell them this week. Don't run out and pick up Newton on wires and if you already have Smith, plan to use him as a flex or 3rd WR depending on the match up.
PREDICTION: 12/6 points
Chris Johnson: Before you wave your red flag, I currently own Johnson in one of my leagues (yes, I drafted him number 1 overall) so this is not my Ravens bias seeping through. Johnson was pedestrian in week 1 and his preseason holdout is certainly to blame. He will come back strong but the stout Ravens D is not the squad to do it against. If you have another back to start, do it. The Titans have little pass attack and you can bet most of the Ravens prep this week has been centered on stopping Johnson.
PREDICTION: 9 points
Arian Foster: He went in the first 4 or 5 picks in most leagues and didn't see the field in week 1. That being said, I think he WILL PLAY this week but I am seriously lowering my expectations. While Miami may not possess a stellar defense (517 for Brady!) they are not THAT bad. Ben Tate will get carries and Foster will be worked into the offense slowly. Let's be real, it's week 2... If you were the Texans, would you be willing to risk the rest of the season on 1 game against a so-so opponent? The answer is no.
PREDICTION: 7 points
The Bears Defense: I may regret this pick, but the Bears are walking into a road game against a team that had 10 days to prepare while stewing over an opening day loss on national TV. The Saints are going to be fired up and Brees will put up BIG numbers (he went off last week in a loss!). I like the Bears this year to win a wild card in the NFC, but we all know the season is not won or lost in week 2 and with that said, the Bears are going down harder than Mike Tyson this week.
PREDICTION: 2 points
The Colts: The Colts are a mess. They have no passing game and, even WITH Manning at the helm, the run game was suspect. I'm not going to mince words here. If you own Colts players... SELL SELL SELL.
PREDICTION: I don't see more than 10 points for any player on the team
There you go, your fantasy football Studs and Duds for week 2. Be sure to come back and ridicule me for all the picks I messed up and to check out the Studs and Duds for week 3!
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